IMPRESSIONS OF THE SALIENT IN
NOVEMBER, 1916.
214
The Ypres Times.
By MAJOR J. R. AINSWORTH-DAVIS.
When serving as 2nd in Command of the Western Cd. School of Instruction for
Infantry Officers, the writer was ordered to report, for special work, to H.Q. 2nd Army,
and the following jottings about the Salient as it was late in 1916 may prove of some
interest. After the pessimistic atmosphere of the home country it was delightful to
encounter the breezy optimism of officers and O.R. overseas, engaged in the actual business
of war, and the kind hospitality met with everywhere, from base to front line, will always
be a pleasant memory. At the time of the First Battle of Ypres the Boches should have
been able to sweep right through to the Channel Ports, but by November, 1916, such a
task would have been no light one, for the Salient was crowded with troops provided
with apparently unlimited stores, besides which the plans for evacuation, should such
prove imperative, had been prepared to the last detail, and the new line would have been
impregnable to the assaults of far superior numbers. Even at the date mentioned dry
rot was making progress in the Fatherland," for German civilians were on short
commons, and were receiving parcels of food from their relatives in the fighting area.
The remarks that follow are given, for convenience, in the form of a diary
October 31st.Crossed from Folkestone to Boulogne, in rough weather, sea sickness
damping the martial ardour of all ranks. The very senior officers suffered most, probably
as the sequel of indiscretions in diet before departure. Arrived at 4 p.m.no motor from
H.Q. as expected! The unfortunate traveller had outstripped a wire sent off the previous
day! Nothing for it but the intensely slow 8 p.m. train, reminiscent of the old South-
Eastern days. This dilatory conveyance reached Hazebrouck at 2 a.m. the following
morning. Slept on a box in a so-called Officers' RestHouse.
November 1st.Reported to the Chief of Staff, Gnl. Harington, at 2nd Army H.Q.,
Cassel, probably the most conspicuous of all H. Q.'s, being the Casino on the summit of
the very hill up and down which the Good old Duke of York led his ten thousand
men in the course of the disastrous 1793-4 campaign, when he was roundly beaten by
the French at Hondeschoote, near Dunkirk, and driven into Holland. Gnl. Harington
kindly motored me to the Central School of the 2nd Army at Wisques, near St. Omer,
to be attached there for a few days. In its system of military instruction, as in all other
respects, the 2nd Army was a model of efficiency. Officers and O.R. back from the front
line for a rest were made thoroughly comfortable, and the admirable instruction given was
not allowed to be burdensome, so that it was always keenly appreciated. The conventual
buildings at Wisques were well adapted to teaching requirements. My billet in the
farmhouse of Monsieur Le Maire, being somewhat flea-ridden, was abandoned after the
first night for more comfortable quarters in the Commandant's chateau.
November 2nd.Lectured on First Aid, as a small return for receiving the latest
tips on the use of high explosives, which happen to be my own pet horrors. An
opportunity was afforded of observing the agricultural activities of the natives. Extra
ordinarily good work on the land was being carried out by women and ancient male persons
unfit for military service. A local land proprietor aged 81 kept them hard at it, getting
about in a broken-down tricycle drawn by three dogs.
November 3rd.An extremely interesting lecture on the first raid, successfully carried
out by Canadians during the night of November i6-i7th, 1915, on the strongly'fortified
position of La Petite Douvre Farm (opposite Messines). The Boches were completely
surprised, and as our men safely withdrew with 12 prisoners, rushed into the position
a quadrilateralfrom either side and vigorously bombed one another. A year later, at
the time of my visit, raids had become the order of the day, and I was told one morning
